Job interview

“Tell me about yourself”

So I am currently a senior at Glenbard South High School and I am going to college in the fall on the pre-med track at UW Madison or University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. I have worked in food service and front desk management for two years with the Glen Ellyn Park District at Sunset Pool. In that role I handled customer transactions, prepared food, and made sure everything stayed clean and organized during busy shifts. I also volunteered at Good Samaritan Hospital at the front desk for this past summer, where I helped guide and help patients and visitors and create a welcoming environment. I really enjoy working with people, and I’m excited about this position because I want to build more experience in a restaurant setting, especially in a role where I can interact directly with guests and help create a great first impression.

“Why do you want to work here?”

I like that Made in Italy Trattoria has a more welcoming, community feel, and I think being a hostess is really important in setting that tone. I enjoy interacting with people and making them feel comfortable, and I think this role would be a great way to build my customer service skills in a more fast-paced restaurant environment.

“What makes you think you would be a good fit for this position?”

I think I’d be a strong fit for this position because I already have experience working in fast-paced food service where customer interaction is really important. In my role at the Glen Ellyn Park District, I regularly greeted customers, handled transactions using a POS system, and made sure everything stayed organized during busy periods.
I also have strong communication skills from both that job and my experience volunteering at a hospital front desk, where I interacted with a wide range of people and helped create a welcoming environment.
I’m very comfortable multitasking and staying calm under pressure, and I always try to maintain a positive attitude and be approachable, which I know is important as a hostess since you’re the first impression for guests. Overall, I’m hardworking, reliable, and really motivated to learn and contribute to the team.

“Do you have any hostess experience?”

I haven’t worked as a hostess specifically, but in my current job I regularly greet customers, answer questions, and manage multiple tasks at once during busy periods. I’ve also worked with handling transactions and keeping things organized, which I think translates well to managing a host stand and guest flow.

“How would you handle a long wait or an upset guest?”

I would stay calm and listen to the guest first so they feel heard. Then I’d give them an honest estimate of the wait time and check if there’s anything I can do, like updating them on progress or offering seating options if available. If the situation needed more help, I would involve a manager to make sure the guest leaves with a positive experience.

“Tell me about a time you worked in a fast paced environment?”

During busy times at the concession stand, especially in the summer, we would have long lines and multiple orders at once. I had to take orders, handle payments, and help prepare food while keeping everything accurate. That experience taught me how to stay organized and calm under pressure while still being friendly to customers.

“How do you handle multitasking?”

I prioritize tasks based on urgency and try to stay organized so nothing gets missed. In my previous job, I would often be handling payments while also keeping track of food orders and customer questions. I’ve learned how to stay focused and switch between tasks without getting overwhelmed.

“What would you do if a table wasn’t ready but guests are waiting?”

I would keep the guests informed with accurate updates and make sure they feel acknowledged. I’d also communicate with the servers to get a realistic timeline so I’m not giving incorrect information. Keeping communication clear is really important in that situation.

“What are your strengths?”

First I would say my positive attitude because I always try to stay friendly and approachable even during busy or stressful situations, because I know that really impacts guest experience. I'm also very disciplined and I show up prepared and focused to make sure i am always working to the best of my abilities. Organnization is another strength of mine. In my previous job, I had to manage many responsibilities along with school and activities, so ive learned how to stay on top of things and keep everything running smoothly.

“What are your weaknesses?”

One thing I’ve been working on is sometimes taking on too much at once because I like to stay busy and be helpful. I’ve learned that it’s important to prioritize and manage my time effectively so I can give my full attention to each task, especially in fast-paced environments.

“How would your coworkers describe you?”

They would probably describe me as reliable and positive. I try to stay helpful and keep a good attitude, especially during busy shifts, and I work well with others to get things done.

“Why should we hire you?”

I bring strong customer service experience, a positive attitude, and the ability to stay organized in a fast-paced environment. I’m also very motivated to learn and be a dependable part of the team.

“How do you handle stress?”

I focus on staying organized and taking things one step at a time. In busy situations at my job, I’ve learned how to stay calm and keep a positive attitude so I can still provide good service.

“What is your availability?”

Right now, I’m available after school on weekdays, usually after around 3:30, and I have more flexibility on weekends. After May 15, I’ll have a very open schedule for the summer and I’m looking to work consistent hours throughout the week. I do have some pre-planned events like graduation parties and a few commitments on Saturdays, so I may not be available every Saturday, but I’m very flexible on weekdays and Sundays and can work a good number of hours.

Questions I should ask:

What does a typical shift look like?
How do you train new hosts?
What makes someone successful in this role?